Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the aim of the SB Innovation Fellowship?

The SB Innovation Fellowship programme is designed to provide a deep and comprehensive training in health and medtech innovation, catered to the Singapore and Asian context. The goal is to produce the next generation of health and medtech innovators in Asia.

  • What qualities do you look for in applicants?

We are looking for individuals with a strong interest in health and medtech innovation for Asia. Candidates will be evaluated based on their potential to demonstrate creativity and leadership abilities in this field. For additional requirements, please refer to the 'Eligibility & Criteria' section on this page.

  • How is Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign involved with the programme?
In 2021, Singapore Biodesign was conferred the prestigious Global Affiliate status by Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign. The programme will continue fostering ties with our Silicon Valley partners - Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign and Fogarty Innovation. This includes an immersion of up to 3 weeks in Silicon Valley towards the end of the Fellowship, to further hone the projects and gain exposure to the global healthtech ecosystem.
  • What can we look forward to in the Innovation Fellowship programme?

The training phase will kickstart with an introductory 5-day Biodesign bootcamp led by established trainers. The programme will provide greater context to understanding Asian needs, with the clinical immersions focused primarily in Singapore and regional hospitals (e.g. China). The immersion will also allow for interactions with the ecosystem beyond the clinical community.

Fellows can also expect to spend more time on project execution supplemented with dedicated mentoring and in-depth domain expertise workshops to derisk their product solution and business plan. This is further bolstered by an immersion of up to 3-weeks in Silicon Valley, USA.

  • Who are the trainers?

Training will be carried out by the SB Core Team which includes the Fellowship Head, SB Fellowship alumni and Fellowship Mentors.

  • How does the Innovation Fellowship differ from other entrepreneur programmes or a traditional master's (or other advanced degree) programme?

Firstly, the training you receive is highly experiential, and consists of a tailored curriculum to the Biodesign process, opportunities for hands-on learning by working on your project and having interactions with expert mentors.

Secondly, the Fellowship offers a comprehensive view of the early phases of health and medtech innovation. Starting with clinical immersion and needs finding in Singapore and regional Asian countries, through to invention and implementation planning, you'll gain practical experience by tackling critical risks and seizing unique opportunities across a diverse array of activities. This training is further supplemented by our lecture series and domain-expert workshops, coupled with one-on-one (fellowship team) mentoring.

Thirdly, the Fellowship is interdisciplinary and team-based. You will gain essential soft skills and learn a tremendous amount from interacting with your peers whilst honing your teamwork.

Finally, the skills and connections you build are practical, targeted, and immediately applicable to a career in health technology innovation. Leveraging on the extensive local and international Biodesign network, the Fellowship will present an unprecedented headstart to springboard your project and to navigate the complex healthcare ecosystem.

At the end of the program, the Innovation Fellows are presented with a graduation certificate in Biodesign and gain exclusive access to the Fellows Alumni network.

  • How many Innovation Fellowship positions will be available each year?
Up to 5 Fellows from multidisciplinary backgrounds will be selected each Fiscal Year. Fellows sponsored by our partners may also be included in the teams.

We advise interested applicants to attend our events and to interact with our team, mentors and alumni to better understand the culture and training process. Alternatively, do attend one of our recruitment roadshows to find out more!
  • How many applications do you typically receive, and how many people do you interview?
We typically receive approximately 50 applicants each year and up to 30% of applicants getting through to the final interview.
  • What are the benefits available for Innovation Fellows?
Receive a monthly stipend of up to SGD$8,500 (as per last drawn salary, taxable, without CPF).

Other HR benefits will also be provided (i.e. leave and medical insurance)
  • What if my salary is over $8,500? Will SB or any available funding make up the difference?

No. SB will only provide a monthly stipend up to SGD$8,500. 

However, shortlisted healthcare professionals (HCPs) may apply for support through grants such as the NMRC Research Training Fellowship (RTF). Please note that this grant is only available for full-time HCPs employed at local hospitals. For eligibility criteria and application timelines, refer to the NMRC website or contact NMRC directly.

  • What kind of certification will the Fellows be awarded with?

Singapore Biodesign is hosted by A*STAR Singapore and is not a qualification-awarding institution. We will only certify your participation in the fellowship, endorsed by A*STAR and joint programme partner Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign upon completion of the prescribed programme.

  • Being a medical practitioner, do I need to complete my Advanced Specialty Training (AST) before I apply?

It is not a requirement to complete your AST, but that would be an advantage and preferred if you have attained an Associate Consultant position and/or equivalent.

  • Is there any age limit on the applicants for the Innovation Fellowship?

There is no specific age limit imposed on the applicants.

  • Must I hold mentoring and teaching experience in order to apply for the Innovation Fellowship?

Such experience would be advantageous, but not mandatory.

  • If I do not have any educational transcripts in time for the application submission, can I submit copies of my certifications first and the transcripts later?

We will not require the supporting documents at the recruitment phases. If you are selected as the final candidate, you are required to submit all supporting documents together.

  • Can the reference letters be sent in before or after the application is submitted?

Referee letters will only be required at the 2nd round, and to be submitted by the referees to the office directly.

  • I already have a medical device idea I've been working on. Can I continue to develop it during the Innovation Fellowship?

The goal of the Innovation Fellowship is to learn the Biodesign process of innovation from start to finish. Accordingly, we ask that you work on needs and technologies that you and your team identify and invent together as part of the Fellowship process. If you have an existing medical device idea, you may contact our office separately to share and seek corresponding advice.

  • Can I continue with my current job or studies, while undergoing the Innovation Fellowship?

No, Fellows have to commit to the Innovation Fellowship on a FULL-TIME basis during the 7 months. Engagement in other work or studies is not allowed.

  • Will there be a bond tied to the Innovation Fellowship?
Innovation Fellows are expected to contribute back to the nation’s ecosystem building efforts post-training. Fellows are required to submit a needs database of all the needs gathered during the Fellowship training back to SB one month before the completion of the programme.

Upon successful completion of the SB Programme, the Fellow is required to hold employment in a public or private enterprise located in Singapore for a period of 12 months in any relevant HealthTech appointment(s) which SB may deem appropriate. During the 12 months, each fellow is expected to contribute back to SB via lectures, project coaching and/or mentoring at SB training programmes. Further details will be outlined in the Fellowship Deed, which will be provided to selected candidates prior to the start of the programme. 

Fellows who fail to complete the SB Fellowship or fail to fulfil the SB Fellowship bond, will be required to pay back all monies projected to be expensed by SB to or for the benefit of the Fellow for up to first three months of training, whichever is higher.
  • Will the Fellowship training be conducted at Stanford University or in Singapore?
The Fellows will be trained in Singapore under the supervision of mentors from Singapore Biodesign. Towards the end of the Fellowship, the Fellows will spend time in Stanford to further refine and develop implementation plans for their top projects under the guidance of experts from Silicon Valley.
  • Are stipends subjected to income tax deduction by IRAS?
Yes. Fellows are required to submit tax deduction to IRAS on their own.
  • Can I choose which medical subspecialty I focus on during the Fellowship?
No. Each year, SB selects a different clinical subspecialty as the focus for the Fellowship. We believe that by working in an area where Fellows are not necessarily experts, will give the Fellows a different perspective where they are more likely to question existing paradigms and recognize interesting opportunities.
  • Who owns the intellectual property for inventions created as part of the SB Innovation Fellowship?
A*STAR as the host institution, owns the intellectual property. We work closely with A*ccelerate (A*STAR's tech transfer office) to help translate inventions coming out of the Fellowship, where appropriate.
  • Am I expected to start a company out of the Innovation Fellowship?
Our Fellows are expected to contribute meaningfully to the health technology innovation ecosystem according to their strengths and career goals after the Innovation Fellowship. SB Fellows continue to pursue a career in healthcare post-fellowship in four key paths: CEOs/Co-Founders, Project Managers, Business Development Managers and Clinician Innovators.
  • Can international applicants apply for the Innovation Fellowship?
The Fellowship is primarily intended to build the local health and medtech ecosystem. However, international applicants may apply if they are committed to contributing to Singapore’s ecosystem post-Fellowship and meet all programme requirements, including the 12-month post-Fellowship contribution period in Singapore. Priority will be given to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.
  • Is there any funding support for travel related to the Fellowship (e.g. regional immersion, Silicon Valley trip)?
Yes. Travel and accommodation expenses related to official Fellowship activities, including regional immersions and the Silicon Valley trip, will be covered by the programme.
  • Will I receive support after the Fellowship ends?
Yes. Fellows become members of the Singapore Biodesign Alumni Network, gaining access to valuable networking opportunities and potential support for continuing their projects. This may include a competitive Early Prototyping Support Fund to de-risk their technology and/or market needs and improving the quality of their projects and subsequent development plans.
  • Can I defer my place in the Fellowship if accepted?
Upon selection, a Letter of Award (LOA) will be issued to the Fellows. Once accepted, deferment is not permitted. If a Fellow withdraws or fails to complete the Fellowship after acceptance, they will be required to pay the liquidated damages as stated in the LOA and the fellowship’s deed agreement.
  • Can I use SB Biodesign training materials, tools, or content for professional use after the Fellowship?
All SB training materials, tools, proprietary content, and documentation provided during the Fellowship are intended solely for the purpose of training and project execution within the programme.

Any future use, reproduction, adaptation, or distribution of SB materials (in part or whole) for professional, educational, commercial, or institutional purposes must be reviewed and approved by SB in advance. Fellows are required to seek prior written consent from the SB team before using any SB materials outside of the Fellowship.

This is to ensure proper attribution, intellectual property protection, and alignment with SB’s mission and guidelines.

A*STAR celebrates International Women's Day

A*STAR Women In Science

From groundbreaking discoveries to cutting-edge research, our researchers are empowering the next generation of female science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) leaders.

Get inspired by our #WomeninSTEM